Mail box



June 27, 1933. Q CRAFT'ET AL 1,915,980

MAIL BOX Filed May 51, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l .Hi I'M 3 mmyroms 32 Ghauncey Ora/"5 11g ZlLMufcfi 1 81124 TTORNEV I June 27, 1933. Q CRAFT AL 1,915,980

' MAIL BOX Filed May 31, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [N VENTORS 9' Craft izez'rA TTORNE y Patented June 27, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GHAUNCEY CRAFT AND JOHN A. MUTCH, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK MAIL BOX Application filed May 31, 1930. Serial No. 458,042.

This invention relates to improvements in mail boxes, and particularly to that kind of mail boxes which are secured in the walls of houses or other buildings for the convenience of mail carriers, and which offer a convenient receptacle in which letters and other valuable mail may be deposited where it will be more or less secure from molestation by unauthorized persons.

The object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind which is simple in construction, inexpensive to make, and which can be mounted in a wall with the least possible mutilation thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mail box of this kind which can be collapsed or folded to occupy the least amount of space, so that it can be inserted through a small opening in one side of the wall and thereafter expanded to occupy the space between the plaster of the inner side and the sheeting of the outer side of the wall.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mail box of this kind having a receiving opening adjacent its top which projects into an outer opening in the wall, and a closure for said opening which effectively protects it against rain and other weather conditions.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of v parts that will appear from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse section through a wall showing a mail box mounted therein which is constructed according to one embodiment of the invention, parts of the box being broken away to expose underlying parts;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper part of the box;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the bottom of the box, the bottom wall being detached;

Fig. 4; is a perspective view of the upper portion of the box in folded or collapsed position;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the folded box being inserted in the wall;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevation of the lower part of the box showing how the bottom is mounted therein;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the closure for the opening in the outer side of the wall;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the closure shown in Fig. 7, showing the lid or cover swung to open position and partly broken away;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 9 of Figure 7 Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front elevation of the closure shown in Fig. 7 the lid being swung to open position, and

Fig. 11 is a transverse section of a box, illustrating a slightly modified form of construction.

Referring specifically to the drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in all the views, 1 indicates generally the wall of a dwelling house or other building, comprising the usual studding to which an inner part 2, usually of plaster, and an outer part 3 are secured in spaced relation. The outer wall usually comprises sheeting at applied directly to the studding and overlapping weather boards 5 applied .to the outer surface of the sheeting."

An opening 6 is formed in the outer side of the wall, said openingbeing of rectangular shape and cut through the sheeting and weather boards, of a width sufficient to form a convenient passageway for letters, and opposite and directly below the opening 6 an opening 7 is formed in the inner part of the wall. The opening 7 is also of rectangular form and of substantiallythe same length as the opening 6, but may be considerably larger in breadth or its vertical dimension.

A box for the reception of mail is provided which is adapted to be mounted in the wall and cooperate with the openings Sand 7. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, said box is preferably constructed of pliable sheet material and comprises a front or outer member 8, an inner or rear member 9, and side members 10 and 11 arranged between said front and rear members, a top wall 12 and a bottom wall 13. The front or outer member is of elongated rectangular form, and at'its upper end is provided with a lip 14 which may be readily bent from a position folded against the outer surface of the body'of the outer member, as seen in Fig. 1, to a position projecting outwardly at right angles thereto, as seen in Fig. 1, to engage the lower edge of the opening 6 in the outer part of the wall. At its lower end, the memher 8 is provided with projecting lugs 15 adapted to be bent inwardly and upwardly to form hOOks adapted to engage and support the bottom wall 13 of the box, as seen in Figs. 1 and 6. The side edges of the member 8 are cut out at frequent intervals throughout their lengths to form lugs which are bent upon themselves to form tubular members 16 adapted to cooperate with rods or pintles whereby the side members 10 and 11 are hingedly connected thereto.

The rear or inner member 9 is also of elongated rectangular form, and is also provided with the tubular members 16 on its side edges which are adapted to cooperate with rods, whereby the side members are hingedly secured thereto. The inner member 9 is preferably of less length than the outer member, and at its lower end is provided with a lip or flange 17 folded upward against the side of the member, as seen in Fig. 5, but adapted to be bent to a position at substantially right angles thereto, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, in which position it is adapted to engage the upper edge of the inner opening 7 in the wall.

The two side members 10 and 11 are similar to each other in structure, and only one of them will be described in detail. Each of said members comprises two parts, an outer part 18 and an inner part 19, each of which is substantially rectangular in shape and extends substantially throughout the depth of the box. The rear edge of the part 18 and the front edge of the part 19 are provided with spaced tubular members 20 similar to the members 16 which interengage each other to aline the openings therein for the reception of a rod 21 whereby the two parts are hingedly connected to each other. The front part 18 has a forwardly projecting part 22 at its upper end of a width substantially equal to the vertical width of the opening 6 and adapted to project therein and engage the side edge thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. Its upper end is also provided with 'a projecting lug or flange 23 adapted to be bent inwardly to engage the upper surface of the top wall 12 of the box. The lower endof the part 18 is also provided with a projecting lug 24 similar to the lug 15 and adaptedto be bent inwardly and upwardly to form a hook adapted to engage a flange on the bottom part 13.

The front edge of the side member is also provided with spaced tubular members 20 adapted to fit between the members 16 on the front member to aline their openings therewith for the reception of rods, whereby they are hingedly connected to each other. The rear part 19 is also provided with the lugs 23 at itstop and 24 at its bottom to cooperate in a manner similar to the lugs on the part 18 with the top 12 and bottom13 of the box. At its lower end, the part 19 has a rearwardly shock of impact of projecting part or extension 25 adapted to project into the opening 7 in the inner side of the wall and cooperate with the sides of said opening, as shown in Fig. 1. Its rear edge is provided with spaced tubular members 20 adapted to fit between similar members 011 the rear part to aline their openings therewith for the reception of a rod, whereby the side is hingedly connected with the rear wall 9 of the box.

The bottom wall 13 of the box is substantially rectangular in form, and is provided with flanges 27 at its ends and a flange 28 at its front edge which cooperate with the hooks 15 on the front member and 24; on the sides, whereby it is supported thereon. I The rear part of the bottom projects into and engages the bottom edge of the opening 7. The top wall 12 is also substantially rectangular in shape. It rests on the side and rear members of the box to which it is secured by the lugs 23 which are bent over into engagement with its upper surface. The top 12 projects forwardly into the opening 6 and engages the upper edge of said opening, as shown in Fig. 1.

The box is inserted in the wall as follows: the side members are swung inwardly between the front and rear members, the flange or projection 1+1 being bent against the outer part and the flange or projection 17 bent against the inner part, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings. hen thus collapsed or folded, the box is inserted through the comparatively large inner opening 7 in the wall, as shown in Fig. 5, and raised to a vertical position, when the lugs 23 on the upper ends of the sides may be bent inwardly, and the lugs 15 and 24, at the bottom bent to form hooks. The box is then expanded in the wall with the inner and outer walls thereof in contact with the parts 2 and 4 respectively, and the flanges 14 and 17 bent to normal position to engage the edges of the openings 6 and 7 respectively. If desired, a block 31 may be secured in the wall just below the opening 7, as shown. on which the box is supported and which serves to absorb the heavy packages with the bottom of the box. The top 12 may then be inserted in the opening 6 on the top of the sides and rear member of the box and under the lugs 23, and its front edge projecting through the opening adjacent its upper edge and substantially face of the sheeting 3. The bottom 13 mav then be inserted through the opening 7 with its flanges engaging the hooks 15 and 2 1 and projectin rearwardly through the opening in contact with its bottom edge. It will lie noted that by this construction. a box is provided which may be readily folded to a compact form to be readily inserted into a wall through the comparatively small opening 7 and thereafter expanded within the wall.

flush with the outer The opening 6 is on the outside of the building, and simple and convenient means are provided for closing said opening, which means are adapted to protect the contents of the box from rain, snow, and other weather conditions. To this end, a closure generally referred to by the reference numeral 32 is provided. Said closure comprises a face plate 33 having a rectangular opening 34 therein of substantially the same size and shape as the opening 6 in the wall. The plate 33 has a flange or projection 35 at its upper edge adapted to be inserted between the sheeting and weather boards, as shown in Fig. 1. The plate 33 is placed over the opening 6 with the projection 35 arranged between the sheeting and the weather boards and secured to the wall by means of screws or any other suitable means.

A lid or cover 36 is mounted on the front face of the plate 33 to swing upwardly and forwardly on hinges 37 from a position over the opening 34, as shown in Fig. 7 to a position free from the opening, as shown in Fig. 8. When in the latter position, letters or other mail matter may be readily inserted into the box through the openings 34 and 6. In order to prevent rain and other moisture from entering the box over the top of the lid when it is closed, a tongue 38 is provided on the lid which projects inwardly and upwardly from its upper edge and is adapted to engage the inner wall of the plate when the lid is closed.

Means are also provided for protecting the sides of the opening 34 from moisture when the lid is closed. T 0 this end, the lid 36 is provided with vertical grooves 39 in those parts adjacent its ends which overlap the plate 33, which grooves cooperate with vertically arranged beads 41 on the front face of the plate adjacent to and substantially parallel with the side edges of its opening 34. When the lid is closed, the beads 41 engage the grooves 39 and effectively seal the sides of the opening 34. By this arrangement, it will be noted that when the lid 36 is closed, the top and sides of the opening 34 are efiectively sealed against the admission of moisture from rain or snow. By providing the plate 33 with the tongue 35 and inserting it under the weather board, any moisture flowing over the weather boards is directed over the plate 33 and the lid 36. The lid swings normally to closed position under the action of gravity, and may be provided with a finger piece 36 whereby it may be raised to open position.

In Fig. 11 is illustrated a slightly modified form of box construction, in which the sides 42 are formed of a single piece of material and have their vertical edges turned to form hollow beads 43 which are adapted to resiliently interengage beads or hooks 44 formed on the ends of the front and rear members 45 and 46. By this construction, the box may be assembled in the wall after the parts have been inserted through the opening 7, or the sides may be connected with the front member 45 before inserting them in the wall and the part 46 afterwards inserted and connected therewith. Otherwise, the form shown in this figure is similar to that illustrated in the other views of the drawings.

A mail box as above described is simple in construction, can be made at a low cost, and since it has a large vertical depth and small exterior opening, valuable articles deposited therein will be quite inaccessible to unauthorized persons. By providing a closure such as herein described for the opening in the outer wall, the contents are protected from moisture due to rain or snow.

Although only two embodiments of the invention are shown and described herein, it will be understood that this invention is intended to cover such changes or modifications as come within the spirit of the inven tion or scope of the following claims.

WVe claim:

1. A weatherproof closure for a mail box arranged in a wall having an opening therein communicating with an opening in the box and comprising a plate also having an opening therein and adapted to be secured to said wall with its opening registering with said opening in the wall, a flange on the upper edge of said plate for directing water from said wall outwardly and over said plate, vertically arranged beads adjacent the sides of said opening, and a lid for said opening hinged to said plate and having vertically arranged grooves cooperating with said beads to seal the sides of said opening, and a flange on its upper side ofiset inwardly therefrom to project inwardly through the opening adjacent its upper edge.

2. An expansibl-e mail box adapted to be inserted in a hollow wall, said wall having inner and outer parts spaced from each other and provided with narrow openings offset vertically from each other, said box comprising elongated inner and outer walls, side walls hinged to and connecting the inner and outer walls and each comprising two parts hinged together between the inner and outer walls so as to be foldable between them, projections on the inner, outer and side walls adapted to be arranged in said narrow openings in the wall, means on the side walls for securing top and bottom walls thereto when the box is arranged in said hollow wall, and a closure for the narrow opening in the outer part of the hollow wall.

In witness whereof we have hereunto signed our names.

CHAUNCEY CRAFT. JOHN A. MUTCH. 

